Gateway Community and Technical College in Northern Kentucky was awarded a nearly $1.7 million federal grant Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Education awards its Strengthening Institutions grants over a five-year period. The college will receive its first installment of $333,209 on Oct. 1.

Gateway requested the funding to improve learning and strengthen its student services, including creating a career development center for students and providing faculty and staff with training to help at-risk students.

"This grant does not replace the need for adequate state funding, but it helps us move forward in a positive direction," said G. Edward Hughes, Gateway's president.

Gateway, founded in 1997 as part of the state's community and technical college system, educates 2,800 students on campuses in Covington, Edgewood and Highland Heights. A fourth campus under construction in Boone County is scheduled to open next spring.

Students receive associate's degrees, diplomas and certificates at the two-year college. Gateway also contracted with 120 local business to train 3,000 workers in the past 12 months.